Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1379. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail any ongoing or previous use of artificial intelligence within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47337/23]
View answerMy Department and its officials do not presently use ChatGPT or any other form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate official text and no such software is installed on my official's devices.
In accordance with “AI – Here for Good”, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland, my Department's ICT service, which is provided by the Department of Education on a shared services basis, has investigated the potential for AI to assist in improving the delivery of customer services. A proof of concept to examine if AI technologies could support staff in responding to customer queries has been completed. The proof of concept focused on the potential for using AI technologies to analyse large volumes of publicly available information. An external service provider assisted with this at no cost to the Exchequer. Officials will continue to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre on the use of Artificial Intelligence for the future.
